the century old bell at Thirumylai !!

 

The month of Purattasi was more about Lord Srinivasa, devotees visiting temples, sanikkizhamai purappadu of Sri Azhagiya Singar at Thiruvallikkeni and .. .. the golu festival of Navarathiri. 

Sure you visited many homes, saw tastefully decorated, concept arranged bommai golus and Temples with Thayar/Amman purappadu and decorations – more of the people richly adorning themselves with matching dress, ornaments and more !!

.. ..  in between – in Temples, after worshipping God – what do you observe ?

In the broad  corridors of the Red Building of Hindu High School, Triplicane, (perhaps in the school you studied too)  the walk of the attender would attract the attention of students inside the class room – before it even sounds, some would ready to fly away….  It was the sweet sound of school bell – #not physically a  bell# – but that of a metal hammered with a wooden object, creating enough sound audible to the locality.  Such bells are missing now in schools perhaps !   

One may not readily remember – ‘John Richard Dedicoat’ who invented pencil-sharpening machine, bicycle bell,  and some  other bicycle related items. Apprenticed to James Watt, he went on to become a bicycle manufacturer and made and sold the "Pegasus" bicycle. But Alexander Graham Bell !  a Scottish-born inventor, scientist and engineer who patented the first practical telephone, is well known right from school days. He also co-founded the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) in 1885. Bell's father, grandfather, and brother had all been associated with work on elocution and speech, and both his mother and wife were deaf; profoundly influencing Bell's life's work. 

Temple  bells are part of rituals ~and are   sacred.  At the holy Thirumala, as is in all Temples, the bells toll every day during temple rituals.  Devotees would observe the two huge bells [Gaanda mani] within the precincts of the temple, upon coming out of the sanctum sanctorum of Thiruvengadam Udaiyan.

It is believed that the twin bells in the Temple were installed in 1417 by a king of Vijayanagar empire.   The bells reverberate during the pre-dawn rituals like Thomala Seva, Archana, Koluvu and more importantly during the time when the priests offer ‘Thiruamudhu’ [neivethyam – offering of food].  As the history of the temple goes, the ornate Mukha Mandapam also called as ‘Mani Mandapam’ where the two-bells are installed to a huge beam was built in the year 1417 by Vijayanagar king Amathya Mallana. The kings were said to have built a chain of Mani Mandapams between the Tirumala temple and the Chandragiri fort with such an engineering symmetry that they served as ‘relay stations’ to carry the sound-waves from the bells from one place to another.  It is believed that the Vijayanagara kings, while on their sojourn in the Chandragiri fort, located around 12 km from Tirupati down the hill, used to take their food only after the bells were tolled.

Nearer home is the  place that predates British rule by several centuries; it was occupied by the Portuguese in 1523, which  lasted until 1749, later falling  into the hands of the British East India Company.   It is “Mylapore” [Thiru Mayilai],  a cultural hub; one of the oldest residential parts of the city, also known as VEdapuri and Mayurapuri ~    Thirumayilai has the avathara sthalam of Sri Peyalwar at Arundale Street – nearer is Sri Madhava Perumal thirukovil. 

One would be surprised to find so many temples in small lanes and bylanes of Thirumayilapuri.  As one crosses, the Hamilton Bridge, is the famous  ‘Sri Mylai Madhava Perumal Thirukovil’   and behind this is ‘ Mundagakanni Amman temple’.  At Madhava Perumal temple, the Presiding deity is in a sitting posture hailed as Sri Madhavar and His consort is Amirthavalli.  The Uthsavar idol is extremely beautiful.

Atop  - in between the Sri Ramar sannathi & the thiruvaimozhi/ alankara mandapam  is this bell, which more than a century old. Here are   photos of the interior of the temple, the location and the bell.  With a beautiful Thirumankappu – it reads 1922 – Dhunmathi varusha masi masam

adiyen Srinivasa dhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
20.10.2026

famed beautiful corridors of Arulmigu Nellaiyappar thirukkovil

 

Tirunelveli locally Nellai and historically (during British rule) as Tinnevelly, is   located 700 km (430 mi) southwest of the state capital Chennai, 58 km (36 mi) away from Thoothukudi and 73 km (45 mi) from Kanyakumari.   for halwa, a sweet made of wheat, sugar and ghee.  

The temple that gave the place its name is the famed  Arulmigu Nellaiyappar thirukkovil. This is a beautiful example of the architectural grandeur of the Sri Nellaiyappar – Gandhimathi Ambal Temple, one of the largest and most historically significant temples in Tamil Nadu.   

Here is a photograph capturing two sides of   the pillared corridors  (people and some other objects removed with AI).  Every granite pillar here is  a masterpiece of craftsmanship, adorned with exquisitely carved yalis, deities, dancers, and mythical motifs. The perfectly aligned rows of pillars create a striking perspective, drawing the devotee's gaze naturally towards the sanctum, symbolizing the spiritual journey from the material world to the Divine.

Taken during a visit in July 2026

S Sampathkumar

Thiruvallikkeni Vimanangalum and Gopurangalum

 

Panoramic night view of Thiruvallikkeni Sri Parthasarathi perumal thirukkovil vimanangal and gopurangal – taken a decade ago [in 2016]

Sri Ranganathar Thirukkovil Vimanam - Sowcarpet

 

Hidden inside the narrow  lanes and bylanes of Sowcarpet area - 

beautiful Sri Ranganathar Temple

 in Mulla Sahib street running parallel to Mint St at one place.

condemning the show on VoC ~ corridors of Tirunelveli Temple

 

Humour is the quality of things that make people laugh, smile, or feel amused.  But what got circulated about a  show in Aaditya TV is beyond comprehension. One cannot even say it is the - worst or "lowest" form of humour.  Something on a great patriot cannot be considered humour – its perpetrators must be punished ! 

Those who acted in such a poor taste for sure do not know anything about the Nation and freedom struggle.   He was among the  great patriots who underwent untold sufferings at the hands of British… more than a century ago, his speech at Thai Poosa Mantapam in the bed of river Thamirabarani at Tirunelveli [on the night of 9th  March 1907] sent shivers and he was convicted under sections 124A & 153A of Indian Penal Code by the Bench consisting of CA White & Miller. In that famous speech, he had thundered "As soon as the English people set foot in India, poverty also made its appearance in the country. So long as the foreign Government exists we shall not prosper. So long as we continue to be the servants and slaves of foreigners we shall have to endure hardships.

 

                             The Great man is - Vandanam Olaganathan Chidambaram Pillai ~ more famous as VOC or Kappolottiya thamizhan

 

Though starting with this, this is a post on the place where he made that speech – Thiruvelveli.  Tirunelveli locally Nellai and historically (during British rule) as Tinnevelly, is a major city in  Tamil Nadu.   Tirunelveli is located 700 km (430 mi) southwest of the state capital Chennai, 58 km (36 mi) away from Thoothukudi and 73 km (45 mi) from Kanyakumari. The downtown is located on the west bank of the Thamirabarani River; its twin Palayamkottai is on the east bank.  .. .. Thirunelveli, famous for temples is also known for halwa, a sweet made of wheat, sugar and ghee.  

The temple that gave the place its name is the famed Nellaiyappar thirukkovil. This is a beautiful example of the architectural grandeur of the Sri Nellaiyappar – Gandhimathi Ambal Temple, one of the largest and most historically significant temples in Tamil Nadu.   Here is a photograph capturing one of  the pillared corridors leading to the shrine (sannathi) of Goddess Gandhimathi Amman, the divine consort of Lord Nellaiyappar (Shiva).

                    Every granite pillar is a masterpiece of Dravidian craftsmanship, adorned with exquisitely carved yalis, deities, dancers, and mythical motifs. The perfectly aligned rows of pillars create a striking perspective, drawing the devotee's gaze naturally towards the sanctum, symbolizing the spiritual journey from the material world to the Divine.

 

The temple  has a history spanning nearly 1,400 years, with the earliest structures attributed to the Early Pandyas (7th century CE). Over succeeding centuries, the Later Pandyas, Vijayanagara rulers, and Nayaks expanded it into the magnificent complex seen today. The corridors and mandapas, particularly around the Amman shrine, are renowned for their finely sculpted monolithic pillars and harmonious proportions. 

A few interesting architectural observations in this  photograph:

•       Perfect axial symmetry: The corridor is laid out on a precise east-west axis, a hallmark of temple planning.

•       Yali brackets: Many pillars feature imposing yali (mythical leonine creatures), believed to symbolize strength and the protection of the sacred precinct.

•       Monolithic granite construction: Most of the structural pillars were carved from single blocks of granite, demonstrating the engineering skills of medieval South Indian artisans.

•       Natural lighting: The shafts of daylight entering through the openings in the roof gently illuminate the stone floor and pillars, creating a dramatic interplay of light and shadow. This subtle lighting effect changes throughout the day and enhances the spiritual ambience.

•       Visual perspective: The diminishing rows of pillars produce an almost infinite sense of depth, making this one of the temple's most photogenic corridors. 

It was very attractive from a photo perspective with strong lead lines, repeated  sculptural patterns, balanced symmetry, controlled natural light and exceptional texture in the granite carvings.  It conveys not just the scale of the temple but also the serene atmosphere experienced by devotees as they approach Sri Gandhimathi Thayar. 

It is a fine architectural study of one of the finest Pandya–Nayak temple corridors still preserved in South India.

 
Interesting !
 
Regards – S Sampathkumar
28.7.2026

Holy Pashupathinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal

 

The holy  Pasupathinath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva  in  Kathmandu,  Nepal.

 

"Pashupatinath—the eternal abode of Lord Pashupati, where centuries of devotion, art and architecture converge on the sacred banks of the Bagmati. Every stone here echoes timeless faith." "Some temples impress by their grandeur; Pashupatinath humbles by its sanctity. Amid the bustle of Kathmandu, one steps into a realm where time slows, bells resonate, and faith transcends borders."

நலம் தரும் சொல் - 'ஓம் நமோ நாராயணாய'

 

நலம் தரும் சொல்லை நான் கண்டு கொண்டேன் -
'ஓம் நமோ நாராயணாய' எனும் நாமம்.

 

Thiruvallikkeni Sri Parthasarathi thirukkovil

 

WW II ~ ARP - Sri Parthasarathi Perumal Garuda Sevai purappadu

 

Brahmothsavam  is a grand festivity – each day it is different Vahanam, and Perumal has classy alankarams … on Garuda vahanam day, thousands gather early in the morning to catch glimpse of the Lord as he comes out of the gate (Gopura vasal darsanam). 

In the grand Brahmothsavam, each Vahanam, every purappadu has its  own charm, yet, if one were to ask the most majestic and most crowd-pulling ones,  it would be Thiruther and Garuda vahanam. !!  .. .. ..    On Garuda Sevai day, people from far and away come to the temple, offer vasthram (new clothes), place before Lord coconut, fruits & other offerings and have darshan of Lord in Garuda vahanam. 

Reading the annals of History, - year 1943 marked a decisive turning point in the Second World War. Allied victories in North Africa, the Soviet triumph at Stalingrad, and the invasion of mainland Italy shifted the balance of power dramatically. Italy surrendered to the Allies, Mussolini was overthrown, and the momentum of the war began favouring the Allied forces both in Europe and the Pacific. On the Eastern Front, the Battle of Kursk delivered a catastrophic blow to German hopes of regaining the initiative. 

Beyond the battlefield, 1943 was a year of intense civilian mobilisation, scientific advancement, and cultural resilience. The Holocaust reached new depths of horror, but was met with courageous resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto. Allied conferences shaped the future world order, while home fronts across Britain, the United States, and the Commonwealth continued to adapt to rationing, bombing, and social change. In Britain, women took on a growing range of industrial roles, while music, cinema, and broadcasting sustained public morale. 

On April 21, 1943, the Jewish resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto was actively fighting back against Nazi troops. The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, which began on April 19, marked the first major urban rebellion against Nazi Germany.  On this day, the  bombing of Aberdeen killed 98 civilians and 27 servicemen. The attack was the worst of 34 separate German air raids on the Scottish city. The British submarine Splendid was shelled and damaged off Corsica, with the loss of 18 of her 48 crew, by the German destroyer Hermes.  Captain Frederick M. Trapnell became the first U.S. Navy aviator to fly a jet airplane, when he took up the Bell P-59 from the Muroc Army Air Field (now Edwards Air Force Base) in California. 

 

Chennapatnam, aka namma Madras is now 387 years old … The city has witnessed everything from invasions, bombings, food scarcity, blackouts to evacuations but, time and again, but not much of War and World War.  In 1914, there was the infamous SMS Emden bombing and in 1943 a Japanese Bombing. Before that there were a few invasions that took place. So, people were not really prepared for a full fledged war.   When the World War II  began in 1939, it didn’t affect the city until the Japanese entered. “When the war began there was scarcity and everything was rationed!”   

In 1943 there was a cyclone and the city was flooding. The Japanese dropped the bomb and no one knew that the city was bombed for about a week! Newspapers couldn’t report it because of the inflicted power cut.”  Two-thirds of the city was empty as people fled. “The real estate prices crashed and a lot of people were making money by buying these houses.,” While humans fled, sadly animals in the Madras zoo were shot dead, fearing bombings and what would happen with wild animals on the run. Buildings were to be painted grey and newspapers were pasted on glass windows.  The collector and the Thasildar moved from the beach, in the pretext of other places being ‘safe’. “Technically no place was safe.   

Though the war happened miles away, it touched several lives. “The awareness about Madras’ participation in the war is zero. People only remember the evacuation.  Here is an interesting clipping linking Second WW to Madras particularly Triplicane and more specifically our Temple.  This is about Air Raid Precaution [ARP] reported in Indian Express dated 22.4.1943.   

During the Second World War (1939–1945), the British Government introduced an extensive civil defence system throughout India, particularly in important port cities such as: Madras, Bombay,  Calcutta, Vizag, Cochin, Kakinada and more !!  Madras was considered vulnerable because it was an important harbour, railway junction and military supply centre. After the Japanese entered the war in December 1941 and especially following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, fears of Japanese attacks on India's east coast became very real. People in Madras genuinely feared that the city would be next.  Many wealthy families temporarily left Madras for interior towns.  

The government regularly organised city-wide mock exercises – ARPs - When the siren sounded:

•         everyone had to stop what they were doing;

•         lights had to be switched off;

•         people took shelter;

•         traffic halted;

•         emergency medical teams assembled;

•         fire-fighting units stood ready;

•         police controlled movement.

Volunteers known as ARP Wardens ensured everyone obeyed the regulations. They wore steel helmets bearing the letters ARP.

 

This clipping says :  "...the Vigraha with its accompanying paraphernalia made straight for 'cover' by going into the Gangaikondan Mandapam..." On that day, the Garuda Sevai procession of Sri Parthasarathy Perumal was moving through Tholasinga Perumal Koil Street.  Exactly then, the air-raid warning siren was sounded. The  temple authorities immediately followed the ARP instructions. The Utsava Murti was taken into the nearby Gangaikondan Mandapam, which served as a place of safety. Only after the "All Clear" aesal took place and Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman completed the rest of the procession. 

Those days the Air raid warning siren would be a rising and falling wailing sound, instructing people to take cover immediately and people took shelter.  The All Clear siren would be on a continuous steady note, meaning the danger had passed and normal activities could resume !! 

One needs to have in mind that by that time - Japan had already captured: Singapore, Burma and  the Bay of Bengal was an active theatre of war. Madras remained under constant preparedness although it was never subjected to a major aerial bombardment.

 

This   newspaper report is valuable because it records three aspects simultaneously:

•         wartime civil defence,

•         the continued conduct of temple festivals,

•         cooperation between religious institutions and the civil administration.

 

For those of us connected to Thiruvallikkeni, this is evocative clipping.  It shows that even during one of the most uncertain periods of the 20th century, the Garuda Sevai and other festivities  continued. The devotees paused only long enough to obey the air-raid warning, sheltered both the deity and the assembled devotees in Gangaikondan Mandapam, and then, after the "All Clear", resumed the procession as though affirming that tradition would endure despite the anxieties of war.

 

The famous  Gangaikondan Mandapam   where Emperuman takes rest   once served not only as a sacred resting place during processions but also as an improvised wartime shelter during World War II.  Here is a recent picture of Gangaikondan mandapam and a  video of Garuda vahana aesal this year on 3.5.2026  :  https://youtu.be/POppOu_Sqio

This year Chithirai  Brahmothsavam of Sri Parthasarathi Emperuman  at Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam    3.5.2026  was  the third day –  Garuda Vahanam for Perumal. 

adiyen Srinivasa dhasan
Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar
6.7.2026
 
PS:  Special thanks to my friend Mr Karthik Bhatt for providing this clip of newspaper.

Nadaswara Vidwan MKSN Manikandan

Imp pre-script :  How many Gold coins do you have  ?  Those who were extremely good in studies might have got Gold medals, rest bought them in 1G, 2G and … … dreamt of buying a Kilo of Gold.   The Indian love story for the ‘yellow metal’.....has no 7 year itch !!  .. it is Rs.14010/-  for 1 gm of 22 ct gold. Though I am a strong advocate of buying Gold in e-form, the yellow metal does offer a personal satisfaction to hold and have in solid form.  From the days of Emperors and Kings, gold is seen as a physical asset with finite supply undiminished in value. From the naturally found nuggets, gold is minted in the forms of bars and coins.  The largest gold coin ever minted was  a $1m Canadian Maple Leaf - is 52cm in diameter. 

Not exactly a post on buying Gold, but on gold coins found elsewhere !!!!  

We go to Temples, worship Emperuman, forget our worries and are blissfully happy…  .. in the midst of festivity in any Temple, there is something unmistakably heard .. .. .. that makes you happy !  - the sound of music – not only that of Temple bells – more of Mangala Isai – Nadaswaram & Thavil. 

In South Indian Culture and in Carnatic music, Nadaswaram plays a very prominent role.  The wind instrument is a mangala isai karuvi (auspicious one) and is played in all religious functions, marriages and all good events.  The Mangala vadhyam is usually played in pairs, accompanied by thavil.  Some of the famous vidwans would include :  Thiruvavadudurai Rajaratnam Pillai , Dr. Thiruvengadu Subramania Pillai, Thiruvizha Jaisankar, MPM Sethuraman & Ponnusamy, Sembanar koil brothers,  Namagiripettai Krishnan, Karukurichi Arunachalam, Sheik Chinna Moulana, and many  more……….. there are so many vidwans in Mylapore, Thiruvallikkeni .. .. and we are spell-bound by their music.

Yesterday it was enthralling Nadaswaram music played by MKSN Manikandan and Chittoor Devarajulu.   

ஆச்சாமரத்தில்தான் நாதஸ்வரம் உருவாக்கப்படுகிறதாம்.    கீழே மரத்தால் நீண்டு காணப்படும் வடிவத்திற்கு “அணசு” என்று பெயர். இது ரோஸ்வுட் அல்லது வாகை மரத்தில்  செய்யப்படுகிறது.  “சீவாளி”  என்ற நாணத்தட்டையால் செய்யப்பட்டதைப் பொருத்தி வாயால் ஊதி  இதை இசைக்கிறார்கள்.    திருவாவடுதுறை, திருவாலங்காடு போன்ற இடங்களில் நாணத்தட்டை பயிரிடப்பட்டு அதைப் பக்குவம்செய்து ஸ்ருதி எத்தனை கட்டையோ அதற்கு ஏற்றாற்போல் சீவாளி செய்யும் வல்லுனர்கள் உள்ளார்கள்.

Nagasawaram-thavil music is so inseparably woven into the fabric of temple ritual that one is synonymous with the other.   Mallari is played by nagaswaram artists, with thavil accompaniment, when the processional deity (utsava murthi) sets out (for thiruveethi purappadu) from the gopura vaasal.  

At Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam, during Chithirai Brahmothsavam of Sri Parthasarathi Peruma, every day during Pathi ula, Nagaswara vidwans from various places come and perform.  On Theerthavari day it was special - Vidwan MKSN Manikandan and Chittoor Devarajulu and their troup

The man of this post MKSN Manikandan is son of a prominent  Nadaswaram vidwan Mambalam Sri MKS Natarajan  and has an impressive history of few decades performing in Temples and other religious occasions.  Their family has released numerous musical albums.    

Devotees  at Triplicane were treated with a grand musical performance yesterday during Pathi Ula.  Likely you would have noticed the ‘Golden Nadaswaram’ and few more gold coins adorning the Nadaswaram of Sri Manikandan as medals  - they include  - Hearteen shape one presented by Sundaram Pillai Deyvendiran; SA Rajalingam … .. .. and… .. and one presented by our beloved Ex-CM Puratchi Thalaivar  MGR.

The music was enthralling and kept us spell bound – thanks and special appreciations to Sri MKSN Manikandan  &  Chittoor Devarajulu.  

adiyen Srinivasa dhasan

Mamandur Veeravalli Srinivasan Sampathkumar 

Thiruvallikkeni Thirumanjanakudam

 

 

Thiruvallikkeni Thirumanjanakudam 

 

This morning around 5.50 am was standing at Peyalwar Koil Street – was fortunate to have darshan of Thirumanjanakudam

 

In this video one could see kainkaryabarar Palappur Murali (65+ with some health issues) carrying the kudam filled with water for purification; Prakash playing Nadaswaram and Nagaraj on thavil – with couple of vehicles without patience trying to nudge over !!

 

Mind reminisced those days of 1970s – when as a young kid, I used to go to MAV house for divyaprabantha santhai  - those days the thirumanjana kudam procession would be far too grand – carried on Azhwan the majestic elephant of the temple from Kairavini pushkarini.

 

Life has changed !!!  [1.2.2026]

Mangalagiri Sri Narasimhar Gopuram

 

Raja gopuram of Mangalagiri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha temple

as zoomed from Sri Panakala Narasimha swami gudi .. ..- Mangalagiri, Guntur.

file picture 

Sri Sankatahara Mangala Maruthi thirukkovil

 

Sri Sankatahara Mangala Maruthi Devasthanam

(Sri Mangala Maruthi Anjeneyar Temple)

Thiruvonamangalam, near Alangudi/Kumbakonam in the Tiruvarur district

Sri Rajagopalaswamy Thirukkovil - Raja Mannargudi "Dakshina Dwaraka"

 

Sri Rajagopalaswamy Thirukkovil  - Raja Mannargudi   "Dakshina Dwaraka"

Allikkeni temple photography !!

 

Many of us are able to have darshan of Thiruvallikkeni Emperuman through videos and photos - here galaxy of  temple photographers - TV Venkatesh (taking photo of Azhwar); Shankar; Kanakaraj; Sundarakrishnan, Devathirajan, Balaji Ravi seen in this photo !!  ~  

 Emperor of them all (the most talented videographer is not inside the frame)

 

This day 2021

beautiful sclpture at Kudanthai Keezhkottam ! ~ குடந்தைக் கீழ்க்கோட்டம்

The name “Kudanthai Keezhkottam” may not exactly ring a bell – though you may have visited this place and wondered its architectural beauty amidst divinity.  The Unique chariot here dates back to  Chola king Aditya Chola  of  9th century CE, making it one of the earliest examples of Chola architecture. The sculpture is carved from stone, likely granite, a testament to the Chola artisans' mastery of stone carving.  

 

There are a few elephant warriors too – here is an image of  a colorful, life-sized elephant sculpture with a mahout, a Royal on Ambari (seat).     The sculpture is highly decorated with vibrant paint, gold-plated caparisons, and ornaments, which is characteristic of ceremonial temple elephants in India. Also notice the beautiful painting on the vidhanam [ornate top portion].   The core of the temple dates back to the Medieval Cholas (9th to 13th centuries), with significant expansions and renovations during the Vijayanagara and Nayaka periods (13th to 17th centuries). The vibrant paint suggests regular upkeep or a more modern application.

 

குடந்தைக் கீழ்க்கோட்டம்  - சென்று இருக்கிறீர்களா ?  .. .. கோவில்கள் நகரமாம் கும்பகோணத்தில் அமைந்துள்ள முக்கிய கோவில்களில் இதுவும் ஒன்று. இது கும்பகோணம் திரு நாகேஸ்வர ஸ்வாமி திருக்கோவில் என பிரபலம்.

 

சிவபெருமானின் திருவுருவத்தையும், அவருடைய நெற்றிக்கண்ணையும், சந்திரனையும், மதியையும், நெருப்பு போன்ற கண்களையும் தம் தேவார பாடலில் விவரிக்கின்றார் திருநாவுக்கரசர்.  சாம்பலைப் பூசிய திருவுருவத்தையும், நெற்றிக்கண்ணையும், தலையில் சூடிய நிலவையும், நீரையுடைய கங்கையையும், வளர்ச்சி குன்றாத சந்திரனையும், நெருப்பு போன்ற மூன்று கண்களையும் கொண்ட சிவபெருமானை வணங்கி,   திருநாவுக்கரசர் பாடிய ஆறாம் திருமுறை தேவாரப் பாடல்  (75-ம் பதிகம், குடந்தைக் கீழ்க்கோட்டம்)

 

முடிகொண்ட வளர்மதியும் மூன்றாய்த் தோன்றும்

முளை ஞாயிறன்ன மலர்க்கண்கள் மூன்றும்

அடிகொண்ட சிலம்பொலியும் அருளார் சோதி

அணிமுறுவற் செவ்வாயும் அழகாய்த் தோன்றத்

துடிகொண்ட இடைமடவாள் பாகங் கொண்டு

சுடர்ச்சோதிக் கடிச்செம்பொன் மலை போலிந்நாள்

குடிகொண்டென் மனத்தகத்தே புகுந்தார் போலுங்

குடந்தைக்  கீழ்க்கோட்டத்தெங்  கூத்தனாரே.

 

குடந்தைக் கீழ்க்கோட்டம் - இங்குள்ள நடராச மண்டபம், "பேரம்பலம்" எனப்படுகிறது. ரத அமைப்பில் உள்ளது; இருபுறங்களிலும் உள்ள கல் (தேர்) சக்கரம் கண்டு மகிழத் தக்கது, இச்சக்கரங்களின் ஆரங்களாக 12 ராசிகளும் இடம் பெற இரண்டு குதிரைகளும் நான்கு யானைகளும் இழுக்கும் நிலையில் இத்தேர் மண்டபம் அமைந்துள்ளது மனதைக் கவர்வதாக உள்ளது; பெயரே ஆனந்தத் தாண்டவ நடராசசபை. நடனத்திற்குச் சிவகாமி தாளம் போடும் பாவனையும், மகாவிஷ்ணு குழலூதும் காட்சியும் பேரழகுடையன. 

The photo was taken at   “Arulmigu Nageswara Swami temple” in the heart of Kumbakonam nearer Sri Sarangapani thirukkovil.  One of the oldest and most significant Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu, historically it is  referred to as Kudanthai Keezhakottam,   celebrated as an early masterpiece of Chola architecture.

Regards – S Sampathkumar
1.1.2026